Fire Evacuation Safety and Instructions

Fire-fighting equipment and evacuation routes are posted throughout each residence
hall. Be familiar with what direction you should go in when fire alarms go off.

Fire drills are used to acquaint residents with fire-evacuation procedures. Residents
will be given information regarding the fire alarm and evacuation procedures for the
hall during their first house meeting. All residents must evacuate when a fire alarm
sounds. Failure to evacuate during fire alarms will result in disciplinary action.

Resident Evacuation Instructions

Turn on the ceiling light and open any draperies. This allows the Fire Department
to check rooms from the outside for smoke. Lights that are not on or not functioning
also indicate a problem in that area.

Close all windows. By reducing drafts in the building, the spread of smoke and fire
will be slowed. Windows should always be completely unobstructed.

Touch every door to test for heat before opening. If it is warm, do not open it. If
the air in the hall is hot enough to detect through the door, one breath of this air
could be fatal. A cool door may still have heated air behind it; the door may not
have had time to become heated. Before opening a door, brace yourself against it and
crack it slightly open to check the incoming air at the top of the door with your
hand. The pressure from superheated air is usually strong enough to force open the
door.

If you are trapped in your room by fire, keep your door and window closed tightly
and stand in full view in the window until help arrives.

Exit your residence hall by your assigned route as soon as possible. Wear shoes; take
your coat, room key, and Michigan Tech ID. Close and lock the door. Be silent and
listen for directions. Use stairs to exit; do not use elevators. Stay low to the ground
in smoky areas.

When you leave the building, move to your assigned meeting area which will be at least
one hundred feet away from the building. This will allow fire-fighting equipment and
personnel to move freely in the area surrounding the building. Move further away from
the building if instructed by Housing and Residential Life staff, the fire department,
or any other emergency personnel.

Do not attempt to return to your room or re-enter the building. Wait for instructions.
You may re-enter the building when the alarm is silenced or after the fire department
approved reentry.

It is against State of Michigan law to use fire equipment for a purpose other than
it's intended use. Individuals tampering with fire extinguishers, fire alarms, smoke
detectors, or other fire-fighting equipment are subject to immediate and complete
dismissal from the University.

It is prohibited to obstruct or hang anything from the Residence Hall fire sprinkler
system at any time. This includes piping, sprinkler head, and valves.